CBSE Class 10 Science Syllabus 2026 + Exam Preparation Tips to Excel In Your 2026 Boards

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 10 Science syllabus lays the foundation for higher scientific learning and plays an important role in the preparation of board exams. With recent academic changes and a clear focus on conceptual understanding, the updated syllabus is designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical application.

The syllabus covers all three important branches of Science–Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and is structured to ensure a comprehensive grasp of scientific principles. Let us go through each chapter of the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus 2025-26 and some practical, effective tips that will  help you prepare smartly and confidently for your board exams.

Breakdown of CBSE Class 10th Science Syllabus

Total Marks: 100 Marks

 

• Theory: 80 Marks

• Internal Assessment: 20 Marks

Chapter 1: Chemical Reactions and Equations

In this chapter, you will deal with chemical reactions, chemical equations, and learn how to balance chemical equations. You will get to see the implications of a balanced chemical equation. And finally, the different types of chemical reactions: Combination, Decomposition, Displacement, Double displacement, Precipitation, Endothermic and Exothermic reactions, and Oxidation and Reduction.

Chapter 2: Acids, Bases and Salts

This chapter introduces you to acids and bases (in terms of H⁺ and OH⁻ ions). Their general properties, examples and uses. You will also be introduced to neutralization, the concept of pH scale (without logarithmic explanation), and the importance of pH in everyday life. Then you will be required to learn the preparation and uses of: Sodium Hydroxide, Bleaching Powder, Baking Soda, Washing Soda, and Plaster of Paris.

Chapter 3: Metals and Non-Metals

This chapter will make you understand the properties of metals and non-metals, and the important reactivity series. You will also learn the formation and properties of ionic compounds, basic metallurgical processes, and corrosion and its prevention

Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds

This is one of the most important chapters. It begins with making you familiar with covalent bonding in carbon compounds, and the versatile nature of carbon. Then it introduces you to the homologous series, nomenclature of carbon compounds: Functional groups (halogens, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, alkanes, alkynes). This chapter also includes saturated vs. unsaturated hydrocarbons and chemical properties: Combustion, Oxidation, Addition, and Substitution reactions. You will also be introduced to properties and uses of Ethanol and Ethanoic Acid and soaps and detergents.

Chapter 5: Life Processes

This chapter begins the Biology Section with introducing the characteristics of living beings, and then nutrition in plants and animals. You will also learn about respiration in plants and animals, transport in plants and animals, and excretion in plants and animals

Chapter 6: Control and Coordination

In this chapter you will learn about the tropic movements in plants and about the plant hormones and the nervous system in animals, voluntary, involuntary and reflex actions, and chemical coordination in animals (hormones).

Chapter 7: How Do Organisms Reproduce?

This chapter introduces you to asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction in animals and plants. You will also learn about the reproductive health and family planning methods.Important topics like safe sex vs HIV/AIDS and childbearing and women's health are also included.

Chapter 8: Heredity and Evolution

This chapter brings you new topics like Heredity and Mendel’s experiments and laws of inheritance of traits. It also includes sex determination (excludes evolution-related topics).

Chapter 9: Light - Reflection and Refraction

The Physics Section begins with this chapter. You will get reintroduced to reflection of light by spherical mirrors and image formation by spherical mirrors. You need to learn definitions of centre of curvature, principal axis, focus, focal length. You also need to learn the mirror formula (no derivation) and magnification by mirrors. This chapter also includes topics of refraction and laws of refraction, refractive index, and refraction through spherical lenses. Then it also requires you to understand image formation by lenses, lens formula (no derivation), magnification by lenses, and Power of lens and their numericals.

Chapter 10: The Human Eye and the Colourful World

You will get to learn the structure and function of the human eye, defects of vision and their correction, applications of mirrors and lenses. This chapter also includes interesting topics like refraction through a prism, dispersion of light, scattering of light, and also their applications in daily life (excludes sunrise/sunset color explanations).

Chapter 11: Electricity

This chapter makes you familiar with the most important topics like electric current, potential difference, Ohm’s law, and resistance and resistivity. You will also get to learn factors affecting resistance, series and parallel combinations of resistors, heating effect of current and its applications and electric power and formulas (P, V, I, R).

Chapter 12: Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

This chapter engages you with topics on magnetism including magnetic field and field lines, magnetic field due to: Straight conductor, Coil or solenoid. This chapter will also help you gain understanding of topics like force on current-carrying conductor, the infamous Fleming’s Left Hand Rule, direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC), frequency of AC, aAdvantages of AC over DC, and Domestic electric circuits.

Chapter 13: Our Environment

With this chapter, you will get to learn about the ecosystem, environmental problems, ozone depletion, waste production and management, and biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances.

Practical Tips To Complete Class 10th Science Syllabus Before Exams

These are some effective tips to cover your syllabus before Class 10 Science Board exam in a structured and stress-free manner:

1. Divide your remaining days into slots, allocating time for each subject based on difficulty and importance and prioritize chapters with high weightage.

2. Go through the syllabus thoroughly and mark completed and pending chapters. Focus only on NCERT textbooks and make sure to have a grasp over all its exercises and questions..

3. Break the syllabus into small daily targets. Stick to your plan and avoid procrastination.

4. Start with foundational topics before moving to difficult ones. This builds confidence and helps in understanding advanced concepts easily.

5. Make short notes and diagrams while studying. Pretend like teaching the topic to someone else or speaking it aloud improves retention.

6. Keep at least 30-40% of your daily time for revision. Revisit the notes you make, important formulas, definitions, and diagrams frequently.

7. Solve previous years’ papers, sample papers, and NCERT exercise questions. This helps in understanding exam patterns and boosts speed and accuracy.

8. Don’t just avoid tough topics but allocate extra time for subjects or chapters you find difficult.

9. Keep your phone away during study hours and avoid multitasking. Use timers to stay focused.

10. Make sure to take short breaks to refresh your mind. Sleep well, eat healthy, and stay hydrated to maintain concentration.

11. Don’t panic about unfinished portions. Focus on what you can achieve now and keep a positive attitude.

Getting the grip on the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus is not just about hard work, it’s about studying smartly, staying consistent, and focusing on NCERT-based understanding. If you follow a structured plan, regularly revise key concepts, and practice application-based questions, you can significantly improve your confidence and performance.

Whether it’s balancing chemical equations, understanding heredity, or solving physics numericals, every chapter has its own weight and importance. With the right strategy, time management, and a positive attitude, you can successfully complete the syllabus on time and score well in your Class 10th Science board exam.